Chronicle of heroism: the contribution of the Azerbaijani people to the victory over fascism

მსოფლიო - 21:52, 08 May, 2020

2419

Today, 75 years pass from the victory over fascism that has stained the world with blood. The worst war of the human history was as if a clash of good and evil forces, a life-and-death struggle.

On September 1, 1939, fascist Germany claiming the world domination, invaded Poland. Thus, began World War II, the bloodiest war in the human history.

The World War II was very large and covered almost all countries. As a result of the six-year war, tens millions of people died, thousands of towns and villages were destroyed.

Ending the occupation of Europe in a short term, Hitlerite Germany attacked the USSR on June 22, 1941. Thus, Azerbaijan, which was a part of the USSR at that time also joined the world war.

Oil of Baku had a special place in the plan of the German command. Because, Baku and the South Caucasus were the main sources of oil in the economy of the Soviet Union. 80% of the USSR oil was extracted in Azerbaijan. Therefore, the main goal of the Germans in the battles for the Caucasus was to occupy Baku, thereby to take control of its oil and gas industry. However, this wish of the Germans did not come true. Mobilizing all its resources, the Soviet Union defeatedfacist Germany, albeit at great cost.

Undoubtedly, the role of the Azerbaijani people in achieving victory over fascism is undeniable. The Azerbaijani people who made important contributions to the victory, sent more than 600,000 sons and daughters to the front. About half of them didn’t come back from the battlefield. More than 130 Azerbaijani citizens were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for their bravery during the war and more than 170,000 soldiers and officers were awarded various orders and medals. With their bravery, they have written their names in golden letters in our history proving that our people is brave.

The 77th, 223rd, 336th, 402nd and 416th National Rifle Divisions formed of Azerbaijani conscripts and volunteers passed the glorious battle route from the Caucasus to Berlin. The heroic sons of our people fought bravely for Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Stalingrad, Simferopol, Odessa and hundreds of other large and small settlements. Heroic Azerbaijanis also took an active part in the liberation of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and other countries. There are countless examples of heroism of our compatriots taking part in the guerrilla movement.

Our brave people have shown unparalleled selflessness in the rear. After the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the whole republic acted under the slogan of “Everything for the front! Everything for victory!”. At that time, Baku became an armory for the fighting army and our compatriots worked round the clock to meet the needs of the army.

During the war, more than 130 types of weapons and ammunition were produced in Azerbaijan. For example, shots for the legendary “Katyusha”, Yak-3 and UTI-4 fighter jets were prepared in Baku. 15 kg of gold, 952 kg of silver and 320 mln.rubles were given to the defense fund.

The selflessness of our oil workers should be especially noted too. They worked round the clock to provide the front and industry with fuel. In general, our compatriots delivered 75 million tons of oil, 22 million tons of gasoline and other oil products to the front during the war. Suffice to say that during the war of 1941-1945, more than 70 percent of the oil consumed by the Soviet Union, 80 percent of gasoline and 90 percent of motor oils fell to Azerbaijan.

Academician YusifMammadaliyev also played an important role in raising the victory flag. Under his leadership, a new technology was developed for obtaining the aviation gasoline.

It is safe to say that Baku oil was one of the main factors in the victory over fascism. It was also noted by high-ranking government officials and prominent military figures. Former Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan VasilyIstratov wrote: "It would not be possible to win the Great Patriotic War without Azerbaijan's natural resources."

The memory of our brave sons and daughters who took part in that terrible and bloody war is still done honour in Azerbaijan. Monuments have been erected around the country in memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the victory over fascism, peace and freedom. Every year on May 9, which is a non-working day, various festive events are held at the state level, wreaths are put in front of the monuments erected in honor of the heroes of the victory.

Invalids and participants of the Great Patriotic War have always been surrounded by attention and care of the state. Providing them with housing and cars, sending them to sanatoriums and their treatment has always been in the center of attention. All this is a clear example of the President's attention and care for our veterans.

The historical heroism of our ancestors who fought in the Second World War will never be forgotten. This heroism is an example of true patriotism for the younger generation. As Sheikh Muhammad Khiyaban said "To die for a goal is living forever ...!" Our brave grandparents who gave their lives for the defense of our homeland and wrote heroic chronicles with their bravery will live forever in our hearts.

AydinTagiyev